Category: PR Connections

Public Relations has a very large impact in Germany. Mark had a lot to say about the job market in a large city like Munich. Famous musicians and actors are found throughout Munich constantly for numerous reasons, usually an event that they are part of. Restaurants and bars are very prominent throughout Germany. Hotels are almost constantly overbooked. Octoberfest too is a huge part of Germany’s culture and draws millions of visitors every year making headlines throughout the world.

What do you think is negative about American communication?

Mark had a very interesting perception of our mass communication culture. The media seems to be very involved in choosing a side and trying very hard to prove that they are what the masses should believe when what they are saying may not always be true. I’m sure everyone has watch CNN or FOX news stations which seem to both have completely different stories when talking about the same subject, it is kind of amusing. Mark feels that the average American would not be educated enough to Make his/her own decision about political decisions and would most likely go with the information they found watching television or listening to the radio, rather than trying to find truth and make an educated decision. Mark also spoke about the reality television that is so prominent in America, he says that Germany does not care about what someone else’s life is like, they find this information useless. I agree Mark I hate reality television.

What publications do you read in Germany?

Let me just start by saying that Mark is what American’s might call “fly.” He chooses to read GQ (Gentleman’s Quarterly) and finds that the production is very skewed based on where it is being sold. He really enjoys reading the information about what is popular in American culture, German culture, and European culture in general. Mark finds that in Germany GQ might have an entirely different idea about what is trendy or popular than what America thinks. He stated that when he went home this past summer and purchased a GQ in Germany, after buying the American GQ he found striking differences in the subject matter. This is interesting, it shows how popular trends are accepted by different cultures.

What is different about tennis in the United States than in Germany?

In Germany people still like to think of tennis as a classic sport, that involves tradition and pride. The sport is still very competitive and requires a lot of skill to succeed but all the less still a way to enjoy yourself. Mark made sure to say that this is not unlike the United States, however there are still differences in the tennis culture in America. Mark plays for the team at Georgia Southern University and has a ton of talent. He feels that the innovations in equipment technology have brought tennis to a whole new level. He believes that tennis is much more like a show, or a product to be sold rather than a humble tradition. Mark claims that dedication seems stronger in Germany than it does in the states. He made sure to say that he knows plenty of Americans who had proven him wrong on this matter, but he sees the big picture this way.

How did you feel initially when you moved to an entirely different culture?

Mark claimed that he felt very comfortable. In Germany most people speak English his communication boundaries would not be an issue. The states are seen as a very big deal in Europe and he wanted to embrace moving here to go to college. Mark finds that Hollywood, Las Vegas, and New York all seemed very interesting to him moving from Munich, Germany. I have to say, I’m just as interested in Munich after speaking with Mark.

What surprised you about cultural differences b/w America and Germany?

Americans are much more open and welcoming. In Germany people are not necessarily mean or hateful but would rather be truthful when interacting with one another. Mark claimed that Americans are not very truthful in face, meaning that their true emotions is not their strong suit. In Germany if people do not like you, you will be told just that. It is not considered disrespectful or rude but considered normal. Lets face it, Mark and I live in the South, as do the students in my class; this can be a difficult place to transition to if these are the cultural characteristics you are used to.

What is your view of business in Germany?

Germany is very resourceful and plays a large role in global business. Munich has the 14th busiest airport in the world. Hamburg is an impressive transportation port. The amount of business being done in Germany is infinite. The people of Germany see their country as “The Engine of Europe,” and have found that their presence is very important.

How does the media operate in your country?

The media is much less discerning when it comes to covering events that occur in Germany. They will openly lash out against politicians and leaders. Openly demanding answers and verbally abusing public figures is not rare in Germany. People want to know the truth and not been left wanting answers. Mark feels like the media is very different in Germany and for their culture it works well.

I would like to first thank Mark Paetz for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with me. I enjoyed speaking with him and learned a lot about a foreign culture. I appreciate the cultural differences more now and I have a stronger understanding of how media operates outside the states. Once again, thank you Mr. Mark Paetz.

Ok, so in terms of publications “CRAP” refers to contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. These are all terms that help the graphic publications student understand how to piece together an effective piece of work. This acronym and the theory behind it were created by Robin Williams and can be found in her book “The Non-Designers Design Book” According to Williams:

1) Contrast
The idea behind contrast is to avoid elements on the page that are merely similar. If the elements […] are not the same, then make
them very different.

2) Repetition
Repeat visual elements of the design throughout the piece. […] This
develops the organization and strenghtens the unity.

3) Alignment
Nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarly. Every element should have some visual connection with another element on the page.

4) Proximity
Items relating to each other should be grouped close together. When several items are in close proximity to each other, they become one visual unit rather than several separate units.

These elements when used properly can help an artist create a very useful advertisement. When designing brochures, flyers, and other handouts that are intended for publication these four rules can help drastically improve the effectiveness of your product.

A day in the life of a public relations professional… The idea is to learn more about the profession and whether you feel like public relations is the path you plan to take after graduation. I have interviewed Michelle Aselta, she is the Director of Lifestyle for Peoples Revolution out of New York, NY. Michelle graduated from The University of Georgia- Grady College of Journalism. Michelle finds that education is not the key factor in her employment now, but it established the groundwork in order for her to succeed. She was offered an internship with a radio company in New York and eventually found herself working for public relations firms.

Michelle’s typical day starts around 9 a.m. when she goes straight to work communicating with clients, focusing the spotlight on them. Her firm is contracted by numerous venues such as hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and professionals. She is constantly at work on her Blackberry making sure to stay on top of her email and phone calls. Another aspect of her job requires her to be in the field; taking editors to establishments she represents working hard to ensure a positive image. Currently she is in Los Angeles working with her team on a project that requires specific attention to detail and avid determination.

She let me know that the business is very cutthroat and sometimes very hectic. It is important to keep a level head and keep your attention focused on the ultimate goal. She says a public relations professional must be headstrong and ultimately believe in himself or herself in order to stay focused. The business is tough and requires someone both mentally and physically strong.

After interviewing Michelle I have a good idea about what her experience as a public relations practitioner is about. I’m not sure if I will follow along the same path, but I’m very impressed by her success. I think I will have to have some personal experience in order to completely understand the ins and outs of the business. Thank you very much for your help Michelle, I look forward to speaking with you again in the future. Good luck!

In my International Public Relations course we had the pleasure of listening to Mr. Richard Bailey of the United Kingdom via Skype. Mr. Bailey is a seasoned communications specialist who teaches his trade to others. He is the public relations lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University,a tutor at PR Academy, and the Senior Lecturer at University of Gloucestershire.

This past Thursday, November 3rd Mr. Bailey spoke to our class about the complexities of communicating across cultural boundaries. He focused on the importance of clearly understanding the individuals you are trying to communicate with. This is important in the practice of International PR because making unhealthy communication mistakes could ultimately lead to the failure of your campaign. Mr. Bailey gave plenty of insight on the histories that have molded cultures to be so very different. He made sure to point out that all people come from different backgrounds so in order to succeed you must find commonalities that link you and your audience. The presentation was altogether very interesting and would have only been more effective if the long distance connection was stronger. Thank you very much Mr. Bailey. I look forward to learning more from you in the future.

Hello my name is Casey Sherwin. I recently interviewed a PR professional for a nightclub in Manhattan. She and I discussed her likes and dislikes in the PR field. She told me that her job is very exciting because she gets to spend time with famous people at the nightclub. She made sure that names were left out of the interview. The following are events that she gets to attend: Private parties, large bottle service events, grand openings for businesses and other various special events. The nightclub she works for is very exclusive and requires a lot of close attention to detail. She enjoys following the everyday events and ensuring the proper public opinion of the nightclub. I asked her what her favorite part of her job was and she told me that she enjoyed writing press releases for the nightclub and attending the events she writes about in order to have extensive knowledge of the cases she is discussing. She is young and assertive. She works with a lot of young people who are all doing the same thing so she can go to them when she has questions. She can collaborate with them when she needs help and most importantly they can cross-check their work with eachother. She said the job is very exciting and requires a lot of attention. She sometimes gets frustrated and has difficulty dealing with the stress that is related. I would like to thank her for her time and hope to discuss PR with her in the future.